ANTI-WRINKLE
INJECTION
MUSCLE RELAXANT

What is an anti-wrinkle injection with a muscle relaxant?

An anti-wrinkle injection with a muscle relaxant is an injectable containing a natural protein (botulinum toxin), designed to temporarily (3 to 6 months) reduce certain muscle activity.

Certain wrinkles, such as frown lines and crow’s feet, are caused by overactive muscles. By temporarily relaxing these muscles, wrinkle reduction occurs, making fine lines less visible.

Although this treatment is primarily known for its cosmetic applications (treating frown lines and crow’s feet), botulinum toxin has been safely used for many years in other medical applications. These include the treatment of chronic migraine, spastic muscles, excessive sweating, strabismus (crossed eyes), and bladder problems in both adults and children.

This wrinkle treatment is often confused with filler injections, which are intended to restore volume, for example, in deep facial folds such as the nasolabial fold.

Dr Marc Nelissen

Dr. Marc Nelissen

Plastic Surgeon

Quick facts about anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant

What you definitely want to know about anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant:

Which wrinkles can be treated with muscle relaxant?

A muscle relaxant is used to treat the following wrinkles and aesthetic concerns:

1. Wrinkles in the upper part of the face:

By reducing these wrinkles, a tense, worried, or angry appearance disappears, resulting in a younger and more relaxed look.

2. Other aesthetic applications of muscle relaxants:

How long does the result of an anti-wrinkle treatment with a muscle relaxant last?

  • The results of an anti wrinkle treatment with a muscle relaxant are usually visible between 2 and 10 days after the injection.
  • As an extra service, you can visit us for a check-up within 14 days after the treatment to receive a free touch-up if needed.
  • The effect generally lasts between 3 and 6 months, depending on factors such as the patient’s individual response and the treated area.
  • With repeated treatments, the effect can be enhanced (as the muscles gradually weaken and contract less actively over time). A muscle relaxant treatment can be repeated indefinitely without causing any damage to the muscles or nervous system.

Your anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant -
step by step

1. Making your appointment

A muscle relaxant treatment can be performed during the consultation. However, please mention this when scheduling your appointment so we can inform you in time about the necessary preparation.

It is possible to book this treatment online, both for new and existing patients. Please note that this is only available for standard treatment areas such as crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines, and not for longer procedures such as a liquid facelift. Muscle relaxants are not recommended for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Feel free to call us at (+32 11 21 44 44) if you cannot find a suitable date or if the waiting time is too long. Additional time slots frequently become available. We can check over the phone if we can schedule you earlier.

2. Your treatment 

An anti-wrinkle treatment with muscle-relaxing injections follows these steps:

1. Preparation:

  • Before the treatment, photos are taken of the treatment area to clearly demonstrate the difference before and after the treatment.
  • To minimize discomfort during the treatment, the treated area can be cooled with a special cooling stick.

2. Injections and pain:

  • The muscle relaxant is injected directly into the muscle using an ultra-thin needle.
  • The use of an ultra-thin needle, which delivers small amounts per injection, ensures that discomfort is minimal. Patients often describe the sensation as small pinpricks, similar to an insect bite, only noticeable during the injection.

3. Effect:

  • The muscle relaxant blocks the nerve that normally activates the muscle, causing the muscle to relax (temporarily).
  • As the muscle relaxes, the wrinkle caused by muscle contraction reduces.
  • All other nerve functions, such as skin sensation, remain intact.

4. Duration of the treatment:

  • The injections usually take only about 10 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated.

Watch a live demonstration of an anti wrinkle injection with a muscle relaxant by Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nelissen further down this page.

3. After the treatment 

  • After the muscle relaxant treatment, you can immediately resume your daily activities. Any redness can be covered with a little makeup.
  • During the first few days after the treatment, avoid applying pressure to the treated area.
  • Temporary bruising may occur; these should be protected with a sunblock.
  • After treatment of the forehead/frown lines, some patients may find it more difficult to apply eye makeup during the first few weeks due to excess skin on the upper eyelids.
  • Possible complications include a partially drooping eyelid (2% chance), drooping eyebrows, or asymmetry. These effects may last up to three weeks but will resolve on their own.
  • You can also read the scientific information leaflet for the injected muscle relaxant here.
    If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.

4. Check-up and touch-up 

If you do not achieve the desired result, you can visit us for a check-up within 14 days after the treatment. If we deem it necessary, you will receive a free touch-up.

Video of anti-wrinkle treatment with muscle relaxant

Check out our live demonstration of anti-wrinkle injections below.

What is the difference between a muscle relaxant and a filler?

Although both fillers and muscle relaxants are anti-aging treatments (treatments to reduce the signs of aging) using injectables (injections into the skin) with temporary results, they work in different ways:

  • A filler adds volume to the skin and fills areas, for example, in the treatment of the nasolabial fold, sagging corners of the mouth, etc.
  • A muscle relaxant reduces the muscle activity that causes wrinkles, such as frown lines between the eyebrows or crow’s feet around the eyes.

How much does an anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant cost?

The price of an anti-wrinkle treatment with a muscle relaxant starts from €100. Click here to view our detailed price list for this treatment.

Our price includes a free touch-up check-up within 14 days after the treatment.

Before and after photos of anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant

Click here to see some before-and-after photos of anti-wrinkle injections with muscle relaxants featuring real patient results. During the consultation, we can provide you with detailed information about your personalized treatment plan.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant

Does an anti-wrinkle injection with a muscle relaxant hurt?

We try to make the muscle relaxant treatment as comfortable as possible by:

  • Using ultra-thin needles
  • Pre-cooling the treated area with a cooling stick (if desired)
  • Administering in small doses

Most patients experience it as small pinpricks, which may be slightly uncomfortable at the moment but do not cause lasting pain.

Can all wrinkles be treated with a muscle relaxant?

Not all wrinkles can be effectively treated with a muscle relaxant:

  • Dynamic and superficial wrinkles can be well treated with muscle relaxants.
  • However, for deeper, permanent wrinkles (static wrinkles at rest), other treatments, such as fillers, are more suitable. This is often the case if you start using muscle relaxants at a later age.
  • Similarly, when wrinkles are caused by reduced skin quality or sagging skin, Medical Needling will be a more appropriate treatment.

Can I prevent wrinkles by starting anti-wrinkle injections in time?

Yes, a muscle relaxant can indeed help prevent or delay wrinkles:

  • With regular treatments, the muscles that cause wrinkles—such as those used for frowning, smiling, or raising the eyebrows—are relaxed in time (“put to sleep”). This prevents the formation of permanent, static wrinkles. By relaxing the muscles before these permanent wrinkles develop, their formation can be significantly delayed or even completely prevented.
  • Starting early (at a younger age) helps maintain a youthful appearance as you get older.
  • In this sense, an anti-wrinkle injection with a muscle relaxant is a great choice for both wrinkle treatment and wrinkle prevention.

Will I still retain facial expression or mimicry?

Yes, when the muscle relaxant treatment is performed correctly and in moderation, natural facial expressions and mimicry will be preserved.

With an experienced specialist such as Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nelissen, a muscle relaxant will provide a natural, radiant appearance while maintaining sufficient facial expressions and mimicry. The goal is to reduce wrinkles without losing your natural expression (“frozen look”). If too much is injected or if it is done incorrectly, a muscle relaxant can result in a lack of facial expression.

Can I become addicted to muscle relaxants?

With muscle-relaxing injections, physical addiction is not possible: you do not need increasingly higher doses to achieve the same result. In fact, the opposite is true—when you repeat the treatment in a timely manner, you will actually need lower doses to achieve the same effect (see also our question: Can I prevent wrinkles by starting in time?).

The fact that you will look better after muscle-relaxing injections may lead to a desire to maintain the results, which can be seen as a form of psychological motivation to continue regular treatments.

Is a treatment with a muscle relaxant safe?

A treatment with muscle relaxants is safe because:

  1. Extensive worldwide research has shown that muscle relaxants are safe for treating wrinkles when administered by an experienced doctor. They are widely used for both cosmetic and medical purposes. No serious side effects have been reported, which explains why muscle relaxants are even used in higher doses for medical treatments, such as for spastic muscles. This highlights both the safety and effectiveness of muscle relaxants.
  2. We exclusively use safe A-label products that are FDA-approved and delivered through a strict distribution chain (by Belgian pharmacies).
  3. All injection treatments are carried out by plastic surgeon Dr. Marc Nelissen, who has over 25 years of experience with fillers and is a member of the scientific committee of Clinical Facial Anatomy in Amsterdam. This allows him to regularly attend and provide training on anti-wrinkle injections to doctors worldwide.

Treatments with muscle relaxants are temporarily not recommended for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding, due to insufficient research on their safety in these cases.

Satisfied experiences with anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant

Anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant

juli 2024 (anonymous)

I have been going to Dr. Nelissen for Botox treatments several times now. He is always very friendly and honest. I feel very welcome at his practice every time. He always takes the time to thoroughly answer all your questions. His team is super friendly and helpful. Definitely recommended!!!!

Anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant

2023 (Sarah)

Dr. Nelissen is a very pleasant and kind man who immediately puts you at ease, just like his staff. I am always very satisfied with the Botox injection for my frown lines. Last time, I also had a consultation for a breast augmentation, and once again, they made me feel completely comfortable.

Anti-wrinkle injection with muscle relaxant

2022 (Nadia)

First time in my life (as someone almost 50) undergoing a Botox treatment. I was very nervous, but it turned out to be unnecessary. I received a professional explanation from the extremely friendly Dr. Nelissen and the assistant. I am very satisfied with the results of the treatment.

Why have an anti-wrinkle treatment with a muscle relaxant at the Global Care Clinic?

Thanks to a combination of experience, reliability, natural results, and high patient satisfaction, the muscle-relaxing wrinkle injection is our most performed aesthetic treatment:

Experience and expertise of Dr. Nelissen

Dr. Nelissen has over 25 years of experience with anti-wrinkle injections. As a member of the scientific committee of Clinical Facial Anatomy Amsterdam, he participates in and also provides worldwide training on wrinkle injections for other doctors.

Natural, fresh results

An anti-wrinkle treatment with a muscle relaxant provides immediate, subtle, and natural results. Patients look fresh and relaxed without it being noticeable that they have undergone a cosmetic procedure.

Safe, high-quality A-label products

We work exclusively with safe, A-label products of the highest quality, which are supplied through the pharmacy and used undiluted.

The injected product used in a wrinkle treatment is one of the most extensively researched and safest medicines in the world.

Price from €100

Wrinkle injections with muscle relaxants are available from €100, making them accessible to a wide audience. Click here for our full price list for anti-wrinkle treatment with muscle relaxants.

Touch-up possible (included in the price)

As an additional service, you can visit us for a check-up within 14 days after the treatment and receive a free touch-up if necessary.

Quick treatment with no downtime

The anti-wrinkle treatment with a muscle relaxant takes only 10 minutes, making it an ideal “lunch-time” treatment with no recovery time.

Patients can resume their daily activities immediately after the treatment, while the results remain visible for months.

Excellent reviews and satisfaction

Dr. Nelissen and his dedicated team score highly in patient reviews (satisfaction after treatment).

Your personal anti-aging project

Look good, Feel better

Thanks to our extensive range of treatments (both surgical and non-surgical), a personalized anti-aging project can be created for each patient. Combining different treatments leads to even better results, as they complement each other.

This “customized anti-wrinkle treatment” allows the treatment to be tailored to your specific desires, achieving the best results for a long-lasting, youthful appearance.

Afspraak maken in Global Care Clinic

Make your appointment

Easily book your appointment by giving us a call, sending an email, or using our contact or callback form.

For consultations and anti-wrinkle injections, you can also book an appointment online to see available time slots directly.

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